I love you guys. I don’t even know how to start expressing how much. When I said show me love on Bellanaija, I didn’t know y’all will take it that seriously. I was dumbfounded when I saw the comments. Good Lord! Na so una love me?
How do I say thank you? How do I show my gratitude? The love you expressed in the comment section doubled the sales of the book, beating Fish Brain Madhouse records which has been there since January. Hmmmm…
Thanks a lot.
And here’s that my famous kiss.
So in retaliation, I will give the book freely to three lucky peeps next week. Today, enjoy IANS.
I’ll see you in the comment section..
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βAwwww.β
βIsnβt this the cutest sight?β
I groan loudly. I donβt know for how much longer I can sit in this car with indecisive females and take one more βawwwβ. Or even stomach the sight before us. Yes, itβs supposed to be cute as Mary just said but I have to remind these girls that weβre here on a mission.
βCan the three of you just focus?β I snap my fingers. But they donβt hear me. Their eyes remain on Shady having a daddy moment with Dara as they both dance to music we canβt hear. The duo is in my husbandβs biggest and classiest car showroom, surrounded by expensive luxury cars. And somehow Shady thinks this is the best place to perform his daddy duties.
I groan again. This is just wrong. Shady is going to ruin this business with his lack of class. How can you be dancing with a toddler when you have business to attend to? Look at the caliber of people around him and heβs stuck on parenting goals. I knew this was going to be such a bad idea. I had warned Ibro about it. Shady is an actor, not a car salesman, but Ibro had told me that he had been a hit realtor.
βItβs all about the numbers. If he can get people buying cars, then what is your problem?β
My problem then (and even now) was that my younger brother had waited for that spot for two years and when finally the manager is fired, Ibro tosses the job to his friend. Just like that! I have been pissed for three weeks and my anger isnβt going away anytime soon.
βHasnβt he proven his worth?β Ibro had asked me just last week, showing me a printout of the sales Shady has made already. βIn this harsh economy the guy is selling cars like no manβs business. Iβm thinking that maybe Celia leaving him is a good thing. Abeg, she shouldnβt come back.β
βShe should. At least, for the sake of Dara. The child needs her mother.β
βAnd Shady needs to learn responsibility. His present situation is perfect for him.β
I didnβt speak further. If I did, Ibro would call me unfeeling, a term he generously uses on me. Coldhearted bitch and ruthless too. I get those ones when weβre fighting. But his darling Eno β sheβs all sweet and loving, tenderhearted and kind. Even after she cheated on him with her ex, Ibro finds no flaw in her.
Forgive me for rambling. I just had to get that off my chest after seeing the two necking in her car outside my house this morning. The effrontery! Would I do that to her? Would I blatantly shove my love for Ibro in her face?
Again, I wander off tangent. I apologize.
Back to Shady. Dude has stopped dancing, and is presently attending to a buyer, some pretty, little thing that has Dara in her arms and is flashing her thirty-two at him. I understand that he has a certain appeal with his tall, thin appearance. He carries his lankiness well and has an impeccable sense of style that I sometimes want Ibro to own. But thatβs all there is to him. Heβs broke and classless. Forget that heβs now earning huge for this present job; it does nothing to save him from his basicness which would soon bring my husbandβs business to ruin. Of course itβs not something I want, and like my friends here, Iβm supposed to do my bit to ensure that he keeps his head above water but really I donβt care if he falls flat on his face. It works well with my aim if he does but Iβm not going to be the bitch that does not show compassion for a father holding a nine to five and caring for a two-year-old at the same time.
It was for this reason that when Peace threw in the suggestion that we take Dara off his hands so he can concentrate on selling cars, I didnβt object. However, they are all getting cold feet and Iβm the only one still on the objective.
βCan we go in already?β I raise my voice, bringing them back to curve.
βMaybe this works for him,β Honey tells me. βDara is his selling point.β
βYeah, people just look at her and buy cars,β I answer sarcastically. Honey lends me a bad stare. Iβd love to pluck out her eyes one of these days. She likes to oppose everything I say or do. She thinks her beauty, her handsome husband and trips around the world are good enough reason to compare herself with me.
I give her an unreadable stare as I secretly admire her outfit of a green fitted dress that shows no sign of her having just had a baby five weeks ago. Iβm so tired of her and her perfectness and the way she flaunts it. She has the perfect body, the perfect husband and the perfect in-laws, and thatβs why she feels so superior to all of us.
βNoka, I know you donβt like Shady for obvious reasons but can you please tuck that in and be nice to him? Donβt go there acting all βIβm your bossβ wifeβ. Heβs your husbandβs friend.β
βI should tuck what in exactly? The fact that he hit my friend?β
βHe apologized,β Peace reminds me. βDid Celia tell any of us what he did? No. She just upped and left but Shady reported himself to every one of us and begged, including her brother.β
I take my hands off the steering for a second and turn around to face Miss Goody-Two Shoes. βAnd what is your point, madam?β
βBe nice. Forgive.β
βHe is a wife-beater.β
βHe is not,β Mary counters. βIt was a moment of not thinking right, a bad decision, and he deeply regrets it. You should let it go and be reminded that weβre going in there to take Dara off his hands to ease his stress and not to punish him. Heβs been a wonderful father for three weeks.β
Whatever. I donβt care. My brother deserves the job and I wonβt rest until I see him get it. Ibro owes me that much.
βLetβs go in, abeg.β Honey steps down and the others follow suit. Iβm the last to leave the car, stretching out my short Nautica skirt which I bought just a week ago at a ridiculous price. Eno has been sporting some new clothes; I donβt see why I shouldnβt indulge as well. I bought a whole wardrobe. I am yet to decide where to put the old ones, some of which Iβve not even worn. Bimpe used to say I have enough clothes to start a boutique with but I donβt think I do. Until I have the type of closet space Eno has, Iβve not even begun.
I follow my friends into the exquisite showroom that is proof of my husband’s wealth and refinement. It’s also proof of my hard work and unending support. The idea from the onset was not just to make it a showroom (like the other ones he owns,Β scattered about lagos) but a hub for carΒ freaks. In addition, there’s a classy restaurant running from lunch hour till evening, just to help us make money on the side to keep the utilities running since they’re always paid for. Whenever I look at the place and think about how far Ibro and I have come, (of course I married him already swimming in money) I pat myself on the backΒ by indulging in something nice. ThisΒ is why it angers me much that Shady has brought his ghetto lifestyle into my family business.
The thin rake of a man sees the girls and I entering the showroom and lets out that killer smile he uses on Celia. Weirdly, I smile back. Thereβs actually something nice about it.
βHi ladies. This is a pleasant surprise,β he says, walking towards us. I notice that he has abandoned the customer with his child. Such business ethic.
We exchange pleasantries and he leads us to his office where he offers us a leather couch to settle in.
βGive me some minutes, ladies, and Iβll be right back.β
He leaves and Peace engages us in a chat about some German guy in her church that likes her. We had first met him at Jineyβs christening and subsequently at a barbecue that Bobby invited us for. The guyβs accent is thick and sometimes he exchanges his Vβs for Wβs. He always smells of soap or aftershave. Never of cologne. His fashion sense is a total miss. He dresses too European for my liking. But the best part of him is that heβs really crazy about Peace, ready to propose at any moment.
βWeβve kissed and done the irregular βtouchingβ,β she reveals with a look of embarrassment.
I cross my legs, ears itching to hear more.
βWhich one is irregular touching again?β Mary asks. Peace laughs. Such a prude.
βHow big is he?β I question. Peace covers her mouth in embarrassment again.
βItβs not all about sex, Noka,β she replies in a small voice. βIβm not planning to sleep with him. Not now and not in the future.β
βIs he circumcised?β
βNoka!β she gasps.
βSimple question.β
βHeβs not.β
The mutual look of disgust that rests on all our faces pushes us into laughter.
βUrgh!β I make a face. βThose white guys and their uncut peens.β
βAre you speaking out of experience?β Honey turns in my direction.
βNo. Iβm justβ¦ you know…β
βMm-hmm?β
I notice all the girls watching me intently. I flash a wide smile. βIβm not telling anything.β
Shady returns with Dara who immediately runs into Peaceβs embrace. She takes the little girl in her arms and hands her a chocolate bar she had bought along the way.
βWhat would you ladies want?β Shady asks. βCoffee? Breakfast?β
βNothing,β I answer for all of us. βWeβre actually here on a serious matter.β
βNot that serious,β Honey puts in with a smile.
βItβs about Dara.β I take control of the conversation again.
βOkay?β He crosses his arms warily, resting his flat bum over the edge of a glass table behind him that reflects the posh leather brownness of the office.
βWe feel, and this is out of concern, that Dara is too much distraction for you, and we would like to help out with caring for her by taking turns. That way you get to concentrate on your job. Itβs not easy for a man who has a lot on his hands to care for a child at the same time. Besides that, having her here at work might not be a good image for the company.β
A silent sigh from Mary tells me she doesnβt support my last statement.
βSo, if you wouldnβt mind, we would like to offer our babysitting services to you. For free.β
Shady chuckles. Itβs a silent chuckle that shows heβs only being polite.
βSo you want to take Dara off my hands?β
βYeah.β
βBecause you think Iβd hit her like I hit Celia.β
βNo!β the others chorus. I simply take two and ponder on his insinuation. Why didnβt I think along that line?
βShady, actuallyβ¦β Honey speaks up. βItβs fine if you think this is ridiculous. Weβre just concernedβ¦β
βDara and I are fine. And really, I appreciate it but you shouldnβt worry yourselves. We miss Celia and we desperately want her back but weβre coping. I need to bond with my daughter. Daycare was tearing us apart but her being here every day reminds me of Celia and keeps me focused.β
The others throw on pathetic faces and I roll my eyes in my head. I knew theyβd sell out. Honey, especially. She thought it was a bad idea from the start. Well, whatever. Itβs Shadyβs loss. When customers start complaining, Iβll be quick to suggest to Ibro to have him changed to someone who is more competent.
I sit up. βBut Shady, we havenβt heard from Celia since she sent us a message to our Whatsapp group that she was fine. Her phone rings unanswered and sheβs never on Facebook. Please, are you sure sheβs okay?β
Shady has the polite face on again. I know my insinuation comes off like Iβm accusing him of getting rid of Celia but I donβt give five farts. We need to know what happened to our friend.
βGive me a second.β
He pulls out his phone from his pocket and soon we hear a line ringing as he puts it on speakerphone. After a long ring, Celiaβs voice comes on.
βShady, youβve called me four times already this morning. Shey Dara is fine? What do you want?β
βJust checking up on you, baby.β
βIβm good.β Thereβs a pause. βYou?β
βMissing you,β he answers with his eyes darting away. I spot an emotion in there and I suddenly feel bad for what I hold against him.
But the feelings lasts a second.
βWhen are you coming back?β
βI donβt know, Shady, and you calling me doesnβt help things. I need to clear that night out of my head. So please, respect my space and stop calling. Thank you.β
The line goes off. He looks at me. βThatβs your friend. Sheβs fine β in some ways. Sheβs not stuffed in some cupboard, rotting away.β
βNoka didnβt mean that,β Peace comes to my defense.
βI know she didnβt. Sheβs a wonderful friend and I appreciate all she has done to see me out of my financial situation.β
I give a fake grin.
βYou got me this job, got me a brand new carβ¦And Iβm utterly grateful.β
βWell, as Ibro will say, βba yawaβ.β
βBa yawa,β Shady adds, smiling. I canβt believe heβs smiling after what he did to Celia. I do hope sheβs getting proper loving from that Naomi chick. It would be the best blow to his face.
βI also want to thank you ladies again for being generous with that huge help you sent Celiaβs way.β
βWell, what are friends for?β Mary quotes. Iβm suddenly bored.
βWe should be leaving.β I draw my legs together. Iβm glad he has declined letting go of Dara. The idea of caring for another personβs child in the first place doesnβt appeal to me. The plan was to pass the tot to my housemaid if ever it was my turn to care for her. I already have too many children on my shoulders to worry about.
Shady escorts us out to the showroom and gets into some struggle trying to take Dara off Peaceβs hands.
βCan I keep her for just tonight?β Peace begs. He shakes his head. The child breaks into a cry that irritates me. I slip on my sunglasses and hurry out to my car. I have to be somewhere urgently. My phone has been vibrating in my purse, riddled by phone calls from one person.
I sigh, feeling exhausted, thinking of the trips I have to take before I finally go to see the caller. I turn around and face the girls who are now walking towards me.
βIβll pay everyoneβs cab fares and thatβs because I canβt drop you all at your destinations. I have a business appointment.β
βHousewives now have business appointments?β Mary teases. I yank her hair. She whines.
βHoney, youβre going back to your office?β
βYep. Jineyβs there and I have loads of work to do before I close. Oh, and thereβs that love concert this evening.β She sticks out her hand. βMy transport.β
I take out some money from my purse and dump on her palm. She blows me a kiss, says goodbye to the girls and crosses the street. Mary and Peace also get some cash but I donβt wait for them to hail a cab before I dash into my SUV and drive off in haste. Patience is not a virtue the person Iβm going to meet has.
βββ βββ βββ
Wura is sprawled on the floor of her living room, eyes up at the ceiling. She is a mix of different emotions. The day of her love concert with Pastor Ralph is finally here, and although she is physically ready, she is a mess mentally. This would be her first public appearance since her lewd videos hit the net. Even though everyone assures her that her past is forgotten, she still carries it on her shoulders.
The program coordinator for the concert had come up with a brilliant idea to help quash her fears. He had suggested that once she took the stage after her opening song with Pastor Ralph, they were both to share their stories to the audience and talk about how they found Godβs forgiveness which became the push for the concert. The idea had sounded awesome to Wura and Ralph. The program coordinator got someone from the media team to help with writing the stories, and in the end, they came out with deep emotional pieces that were bound to score empathy from the audience. It had seemed all good with Wura over the past months but today she wakes up not feeling ready for what the evening holds.
Alone on the living room floor while Bilal lies sleeping with half his body on a couch and the other on the floor, Wura tries her best to calm her nerves. The scarily-efficient Novocaine Knights event team handling the concert has assured her that everything is under control. All she needs to do is to show up at the venue and sing. Still, she fusses, and not even the blueness of her space or the mild scent of incense in the air gives her calm.
She shuts her eyes and prays for a bit but she canβt put her thoughts together, so she remains motionless, listening to music coming from her bedroom, a jazz album by Dario Chiazzolino. She forces herself to be carried away by the complicated but mellow guitar arrangements that are distinctive to Darioβs sounds. Soon she finds herself falling into calm, but the serene moment is interrupted by a knock on the door.
She is not pleased by the disturbance, as she is observing total solitude and silence to keep her vocal chords in shape until the moment she climbs the stage to sing. Having someone dropping in unannounced is not what she needs at the moment.
She goes for the door and unlocks it. When she opens it, she finds no one outside. However, she is greeted by the presence of a brand new steel string acoustic guitar resting on a stand, gleaming in metallic brown under the light of the morning.
βOh my God,β she whispers, leaving the door and stepping outside. She touches the instrument like someone touching the face of a lover for the first time, caressing its edges, stroking its strings β just to be sure itβs all real and sheβs not imagining it.
A little card hanging off one of the tuning machines, held by a fancy string, is blown by the wind and it falls to the floor. She picks it to find a note in Mahmudβs writing.
Mami,
You always wanted this, and I think on this big day, you deserve it. Sing like the wind, doll face.
I never stopped loving you.
Your-mood.
βMymoodβ¦β Tears attack her eyes as a feeling of lonesomeness which has now become part of her, surges in, mixing with her joy. But she doesnβt let it stay. She lifts the guitar off the ground, and expertly holding it in her arms, strums the strings. She considers herself a rookie with the instrument but Pastor Ralph who has been her tutor for under a year thinks otherwise.
βMusic is just you, Wuraola. I bet if I gave you a pair of drumsticks youβd find your way around the percussions.β
To that, she had remained quiet. She already knew the basics of drumming, learned on her own. But it had never been her favorite instrument. She loved melody, strings and chords. Maybe next year she would buy a cello and start learning that as well.
βThanks, Mahmud,β she voices out, her first loudly-uttered words for the day.
βYouβre welcome.β
Wura swivels at the sound of Mahmudβs voice coming from behind her, almost dropping the guitar. She finds him standing right beside the front door. She had been so carried away with the guitar at first sight that she hadnβt noticed he was there the whole time.
βMymood?β she whispers. He doesnβt reply. He simply remains standing, staring at her intensely, his hands in his pockets. For a second, Wura thinks she is imagining his presence. She gently places the guitar back on its stand and faces him again. They havenβt seen in over a year. Having him in the same space with her after endless months of tears and longing can best be described as being in the presence of a celestial being. She is not sure what to do. But he makes it easy for her as he walks over and wraps his arms around her, one taking her neck and the other resting on her waist.
She meets his hug with tears. The distinct scent of him that comes with cologne and cigarette finds her memories and brings them all to her head.
βYou donβt know how happy I am,β Mahmud expresses. βThis is like a dream, mami. Iβm holding you again.β
The broken tenderness in his voice and his face buried in her neck pushes her emotions to the peak. She lets loose in his hold. He doesnβt stop her. He knows the tears are not just of joy. He understands everything her snivels and shudders mean. He holds her until it goes away.
βDo you know how much Iβve missed you, you silly Yoruba girl?β
She giggles as he steps back and feeds his eyes with her body.
βWuraola Adegbite! God will not sha let you kill me. See as you fine like kilode!β
He takes one more step backwards and shakes his head. She suddenly becomes aware that she is wearing only a boyfriend tee and bum shorts.
βStop looking at me like that.β
He grabs her waist again and goes for her mouth fiercely. She sighs at the taste of him and the familiarity of his kiss that is made more pleasurable by months of want. The kiss is long and sweet like a mouthful of sugarcane juice on a hot day. Even when Mahmud stops, Wura goes for more. But he stops again her and leads her back into the house.
Bilal gets his attention as they walk in. He breaks in his steps and a warm smile brings his lips together.
βHeβs sleeping?β
Wura nods. Mahmud walks over to his son and stoops to study him. βHeβs now beginning to look like you, Wu.β
βEverybody says that.β
βBut he has my nose, thank goodness.β
βPlease!β
βAnd my hair.β Mahmud pats the toddlerβs thick, dark locks.
βIt grows too fast. I have to take him for a haircut every three weeks.β
Mahmud smiles in pride, lifting the boy off the floor and onto the couch.
βBut you sef, why did you leave him like this?β
βDonβt worry. By the time you stay with him for just one day, the way he falls asleep will be the least of your problems.β
Mahmud rises up.
βSo, what should I cook for you?β she asks. And before he can answer, adds, βI like what youβre wearing.β
Mahmud stares down at his outfit of a pair of jeans, a checkered shirt and a sweater. βThe clothes look a lot better off my body than on it.β
Wura gives him a playful frown but at the same time, forcing away memories of the feel of his hairy body against hers.
βStop trying to make me sin here, oga. Iβm ministering to thousands today.β
βThen marry me and let me make love to you before you climb that stage this evening.β
βMymood!β
βIβm serious.β He comes closer. βWe already met all the requirements last year and fixed the date for the wedding before you changed your mind. I still have my friend who works there and all I need is a phone call, a couple of friends and weβre husband and wife. And then I can smash you legally.β
βGood lord! Your mouth!β
He goes for her lips again, but taking it slowly and teasingly this time.
βI love you, mami,β he asserts between kisses. She buries her fingers in his full beard, stroking it down until she touches his neck. Her self-control begins to wane. She stops herself by pulling away. But Mahmud wonβt let her go. He holds her bound for one more kiss which leads to caresses that has them both falling over a couch. It takes both her will and his for them to control themselves.
Head resting on his chest afterwards, she requests, βgo away for the rest of the day so I can concentrate on my concert.β
He nips her nose as she raises her head. βThatβs not fair.β
βAfter the concert, weβll resume talks about us getting married.β
βDonβt pull my legs.β
βJust go away, you distracting man. Come with something nice at the end of the concert.β
βI bought so many things for you, mami. And for Billy.β
She straightens up. βTokunboh, please go.β
He stands to his feet and drags her to the front door where they kiss one more time. βMy applause will be the loudest at the concert.β
She grins.
βKiss Bilal for me.β
She stands by the door and watches him leave. Her eyes drop down to the guitar. She fixes a long, unbroken stare that gives her a cloudy vision. And then she blinks it away as she lowers herself to sit on the double steps that lead into the house. The last time she kissed Mahmud was over a year ago; they were standing in the airport, his plane set to leave for Dubai. He was to spend a week there before proceeding to Jeddah. He had asked her to pass that week with him but she had declined, stating that she knew they would end up being inappropriate with each other. Now, as she recalls the moment, she wishes she had gone along, and done everything to save their relationship, including following him all the way to Jeddah.
Distance has left a gaping hole between them, one which gives her doubts about wanting to spend her future with him. He has no idea what his family did to her in his absence, how they summoned her and begged her to sever all ties with him. His elder sister, Asma, and her husband Usman were the only ones who stood by her side. But that had not been enough. At that time in her life, she felt she had nothing left to cling to. Even her siblings abandoned her. She didnβt blame them or anyone for how they treated her. She also hated the Wura that was in those videos. She had pulled through relying on her music, the quiet, dark days when she was alone and all she had was her voice and the black and white notes on her Yamaha keyboard. Ralph was there for her as well, upholding her ragged honor even to the disrepute of his name. He became a constant in her life, lending her his voice, his shoulders and cheering words. It was upon his back she learned to stand again. He always had enough strength for her.
But last week he had caved and brought the weight down on them both. A rather strange thing had happened during her rehearsals at a friendβs house where he was staying at the moment, having finally parted ways with his wife. The house was a large, quiet place somewhere in Badagry, and had tall, bare palm trees and a yard that looked out to a small, dirty beach. Ralph had chosen to live that faraway to heal from his broken heart. It was Wuraβs first time in the place and Ralph treated her to a glass of orange and ginger juice before they set about their rehearsals.
But things didnβt go well that morning, as Ralph ran through a song in a manner so depressing and dark that Wura saved them both by placing a gentle hand over his to stop him. Music notes from the glistening black piano he was playing died down and he lifted miserable eyes at her.
βSheβs taking the children to the UK, and I canβt do anything about it.β
βWhy?β
βWell, itβs the best for them. Iβm paying school fees, accommodation and all butβ¦β
He ran his hand over his forehead.
βSheβs taking everything from me. Everything. Nine years of marriage, my children and the bulk of my money. And I did nothing wrong. I never cheated on her. She just got tired of me…β
He sighed and dropped his hand, fingers landing on the black notes of the piano, causing an unpleasant sound.
βIβm so sorry, sir.β Wura drew closer and sat beside him. They had never spoken about his divorce, not to this extent, at least. She was unsure of how to respond to his heartbreak which was alien to her, being that he had done everything to hide his pain. The emotional side of him was new and utterly distressing. She wanted to just reach out and hug the broken man in him.
βBut she accused me of many things,β Ralph continued. βOf loving Godβs work more than her, of never being there when she needed me, of sacrificing for my music more than I sacrificed for the familyβ¦ And maybe she was right. Maybe every other thing came before her and the kids but it wasnβt intentional. I thought I was doing everything right, Wura.β
βMaybe the problem is not with you and you should stop punishing yourself.β
But it seemed Wura had just spoken to the air. Ralph went back and in time and brought up occasions that he felt he might have missed being a good husband and father, times when the church came first and his family second. Wura stopped him again, her hand on his as before.
βItβs not your fault. She stopped loving you. These things happen.β
Ralph sought Wuraβs eyes from the darkness of his.
βIβm not supposed to tell you this but I have to let it out of my chest. She also accused me of loving you.β
Wuraβs hand dropped.
βOf being in love with you.β
An uneasy smile, barely noticeable took one side of Wuraβs lips. It was her turn to search his face. She didnβt know what she was looking for but she held his eyes.
βBut youβre not in love with me. You love me as a sister.β
Ralph was silent.
βPastor Ralph?β
He looked elsewhere.
βPastor Ralph.β
His eyes returned to her. βWhat she thinks I feel or donβt feel for you doesnβt matter. What matters is the work God has used me to do in your life. The work weβre both doing.β
Wura stood up, her pulse hastening.
βYou shouldnβt bother about what she said. She was just looking for reasons to leave. Even if hypothetically, I was in love with you, and itβd been so from the first day I met you, you think Iβd throw my family and ministry away for that? Come on, Woo. You should know Iβm not that type of man. Iβd keep it all bottled up. Put the lid on it. Treat you as I would my sister, because God knows what I feel for you is pure and wholesome. So, letβs forget that talk and concentrate on our ministry of healing broken souls.β
Wura didnβt feel better by his explanation. He had, in uncertain terms, confirmed his ex-wifeβs assertions and it scared the hell out of her.
βIβm still Pastor Ralph,β he insisted. βNothing has changed between us, Woo.β
But it didnβt feel that way to Wura. On her way home that day, her mind went back to all the moments she felt he had expressed his feelings. Nothing inappropriate in his manner towards her was recalled; Ralph had been a mentor at all times, even when he found out that she was pregnant with Bilal. He had been supportive and gracious to Mahmud then and never wavered in his character.
However, the awareness of those facts did nothing to soften the blow of what he had told Wura. She wished he had never said a word on the matter even though she understood his need to unburden himself. Looking into the history of their relationship over the period of Mahmudβs absence she came to the awful realization that they had gotten quite close; so close that Bilal now called him βdaddyβ and he sometimes knew when she was on her period because on more than one occasion, he had helped her purchase sanitary towels when menstrual cramps left her incapacitated. They were that chummy. Hence, through her entire week, even until this moment, she had carried the feeling that she was and still is in a sort of unhealthy relationship with him. And to her, Mahmudβs surprise return is Godβs way of telling her to leave the life she shares with Ralph.
She counts the hours to the concert in feverish anticipation, her unease returning.
βββ βββ βββ
His SUV enters the compound with the same weariness that claims his body. It feels to him like he has been driving for years without stop. He makes mental plans to sleep for five hours at least, and then wake up to map out more time to sleep for another twelve hours. Very little jobs like this claim his time and energy. He would usually delegate duties to the Novocaine Knights technical crew and hang about to see them done. But this is different. Wura, as sweet and soft-spoken as she is known to be, gets bumpy when it comes to her music and the sounds that accompany it.
Kasiobi had used most of the night and the dark hours of the morning to ensure that everything was technically perfect for the love concert. Mechanical glitches had prolonged his efforts but somehow he managed through, setting everything ready in good time.
He now longs for a warm bath and a cup of steaming hot chocolate or something of the likes. He recalls how Lexus always made the best cups of hot chocolate, adding twists with each fresh brew. He reminisces on moments when she got out of herself and treated him like he was the best thing since ice-cream. It felt good to be in love then, with nothing to worry about but whose turn it was to do the dishes or make dinner. Lexus had been the Lexus heβd always known β wild, open and bearing the mindedness and sometimes melancholy of a talented artist. In their small apartment in New York her talent blossomed, in oil paintings, charcoal and graffiti. The highlight of his nights after long hours in class and studio sessions was to come home and watch her, dressed in nothing but a single piece of clothing, throwing herself into her art. Sometimes, two or three days would go by before she acknowledged his presence. And when she did, she brought fierce affection with her. Their love was always on a high, sometimes too good to be true. But he had never nursed any worries. Lexus was not just his girlfriend; she was his best friend too. If love failed, friendship was bound to surviveβ¦
Kasiobi brusquely blocks thoughts of her out of his mind. Recalling their history together is always a torturous pastime, certainly not something he presently needs.
He steps down from his vehicle and walks towards his apartment, the sounds of reggae loudening as he nears the door.
Chichiβ¦
He sighs.
She is becoming a problem. As he had predicted, her sole aim since she got back into his life had been to remind him that she once used to stoke his fires. He couldnβt count how many times he had wandered into the living room and found her naked or nearly so. He was now quite used to the show, something Kira constantly complains about. He foresees a fight between both girls soon, with Chichi being the instigator as is in her nature. They barely stomach each other, and itβs not that he really cares. He feels nothing particularly deep for either of them.
His present distraction is Didi whom he had had the pleasure of being with a few times at the Novocaine Knights head office. He finds her bubbly and quite naΓ―ve, but at the same knowledgeable in some areas about life for someone her age. She comes across as a spoilt child, much like Lexus, wild and willing to try anything. And maybe thatβs why he finds himself drawn to her. Lexus still remains a constant crush in his life but he has no desire to get them back to where they used to be.
But Didiβ¦
One of these days heβll ask her out on a date, see what sheβs all about.
He comes to his front foyer, the reggae music unbearable now. He opens the door and enters the living room, picking out a different, more disturbing sound than the music. He can hear Trinity screaming loudly from Chichiβs bedroom. He marches to the electronic stand and yanks off the main connection from the wall, stopping the music. He barges into Chichiβs bedroom and finds his daughter alone in her cot, kicking into the air with her screams. He takes her in his arms but the screams intensify.
βChichi?β He peeps into the bathroom. It is empty. When he turns back to the room, he spots a piece of paper on one of the pillows on Chichiβs neatly-arranged bed. His tummy whips as he goes for the paper. On a second thought, he leaves it where it is, and stands to read its contents, written in Chichiβs hand.
Kas,
This is the worst thing Iβm ever going to do in my life and everyone will hate for it but I have to go and find my happiness. I never planned to be a mother or a baby mama. Iβm not good at doing both. Itβs best I leave Trinity in your hands. I canβt raise her out of wedlock and God knows I tried getting you to love me but your heart is with Lex. When we got back together last year I thought it was for good but you dumped me again. You have no idea how much itΒ hurts to keep loving one person and the person keeps dumping you. Well I wish you and Lex the best when you get back together. As for me, donβt look for me. Youβll never find me.
Chisom.
Weirdly, Kasiobi is not shocked. With Chichi one should expect anything. Heck, he even expects her to walk back in and tell him the note is all a joke.
Thus, his reaction to what he has just read is laughter. A shake of his head and more laughter. Trinity who continues to shriek at the top of her lungs is now clawing at his neck.
βLetβs go get you something to eat, Trini. Your mom has gone mad.β
He leaves the bedroom to the kitchen, opens the fridge and finds a feeding bottle containingΒ breast milk, the only one left. After he tosses it into the microwave, he picks a chair and sits, doing his best to placate Trinity.
βSheβll come back,β he says to the tot. βYour mom will miss you so much sheβll come back.β
But his words sound alien in his ear as he looks around. Usually, Chichi would be standing in front of the cooker or the sink, dressed in a panty or nothing at all, doing everything to seduce him. Her absence rings as loudly as Trinityβs screams.
βTrini, sorry o. Biko, calm down. Your food is warming up.β
Luckily for both father and daughter, the microwave dings to a stop. Kasiobi takes out the milk, hurries to the living room and proceeds to feed Trinity. This is his first attempt and it goes badly. The milk is too hot and it burns Trinity on first taste and she goes into a fit worse than before. Kasiobi then dashes for freezing water from the fridge and spends an extra two or three minutes having the milk come to manageable temperature. By now, Trinity has given up wailing. She goes into silent whimpers, setting the most miserable expression on her face that has Kasiobi feeling inadequate. When he eventually feeds her and all seems well with the world, he stretches out to have a short playtime with her but fails at it as he discovers he is too exhausted. He yawns more than a few times and soon his eyes begin to shut without his consent.
βSheβll come back,β he mumbles, yawning. But something in his head, sounding much like Lexusβ voice tells him, βNigga, you know sheβ gone.β
Β©Sally@moskedapages
Yayyyyyy! I didn’t want to stop reading! Thank you Sally :*
You’re welcome, Asma
May God bless you so so much Sally.. Love tis to the end…
Bless you too, Scribbledheartbreak. You will soon tell me what this your name means
Lol… Its a long story ooooo?
wow, nice long episode. I so feel like slapping Noka from here to Australia and back.
and then I can so relate with the love thing btw Wura and pastor Ralph, I love the way Mahmood loves her, but then… MUSLIM* SMOKER*???
Hmmm…
We have Muslims here o. I no dey when they come after you.
I don’t think Wura worries about his smoking or his religion. He’s an awesome guy and a dad. The issues they have are his family and her past. Well, let’s see how things go with this new twist of Pastor Ralph coming into the picture
Wow. This comment…
What is wrong in him being a Muslim that you have to write it in capital letters? Is being a Muslim so bad? Have you been around Yoruba people to see that Christians and Muslims marry each other and there’s peace in the home? I’m a product of such a marriage and my parents have been together for 33yrs.
Mahmud is a good man. he is faithful to Wura. He loves her. He is the father of her child. That is all that matters. Pastor Ralph, we love you but go and park in one corner and leave the two lovebirds alone
Hmm, Kas u better stop forming, you and lex belong to each other bro, I’m glad wura is back and mymood u berra not take No for an answer…
Great job madam sally
Thanks for reading, Temmy
Sally , u re such a great writer.
Na God o
Yes. Yes. Yes. She’s an amazing writer.
Aunty Sally, I’m sorry I haven’t bought your book yet ohh, I have a major exam in September, and I feel inadequately prepared, but I will definitely buy it.
Celia has joined lesbian gang ohh ? ?. Plix what’s wrong with Noka? ? Chichi has finally left Kasi, I sensed it was coming. Mymood is back ??. Pastor Ralph is a harlot ? ? ?, didn’t he finish falling in love before he got married? End of my senseless rant
???@ harlot
My dear, please take your time and study. Wishing you the best in your studies
ghen ghen! kasiobi don enter am. abeg woo woo should do quick and marry our mood joor and I hope whatever secret DAT ibro’s wife is keeping be exposed soon. nice one ma sally
Thank you
It is worth d long wait…first u had me imagining wat i would do wit ur lips nd next u captured nt only my eyes bt all of me…ah swear ur bf/hubby dy try cos u go fit use temptation kii pesin;)
I’ll appreciate it if you commented on the story. It’s hard to make sense of what you’re saying
Eedrees is high on local weed! Hian
Wow! Mymood is bck cnt wait 2 get full gist on dem….. weldone madam sally
Gracias!
I got know about u from the review of fourth finger on bellanaija.someone posted a Link to your blog,I decided to check it out n I fell in love with it.I read the boys n toys well into the night n finished it the next morning.u r really blessed and I pray more blessings upon u.
Welcome to the club…..you’ll never regret using your mb here ?
Welcome here, Onyeche
Glad to have you around. Bless you for your encouraging words
I love u. i meant it. thanks for coming into my life. moskeda page u re the best
Awww ????
Mymood is back! Whoop! Whoop! ???
I just hope nothing funny happens at that concert to change Wura’s mind about marrying him. His family’s ish aside. And her family that disowned her sef, the meaning of family is lost on some folks sha.
Okay so last episode Lexus was crying her heart out about what Chichi’s return and child means for her relationship with Kas, and her prayers are suddenly answered with Chichi disappearing into thin air? Even leaving a note where she cedes to the love between Lex and Kas. My Nigerian sense is just suspecting foul play upandan..
Lovely episode and totally worth the wait.
P.S: Thanks for the midweek surprise.
My pleasure, Anthony
About Chichi, I also suspect her. A person cannot just get up and disappear like that.
Yay!
So glad to have this back!
Chichi is psychotic for real.
Wura and Pastor Raph, I’m not surprised. Was half expecting that they hooked up sef. There’s a kind of intimacy that comes with shared pain and they have been up against the world together for so long. Glad that Mahmoud is back sha.
And finally, Noka is such a pain in the butt.
Yeah, something happens when you spend a lot of time with someone and you’re both heartbroken. He had always had a soft spot for her
OMG! Did I read “giving out free to three readers”? Please please pick me I’ll really love to finish it. OK lemme go and read.???
Ah pastor Ralph please don’t vex oh but come and be going, Mymood is to Wura. I feel Kas would eventually move on from Lex unless she changes her character, he is only human abeg! Noka? Is that 1 a human being *longhiss*
Ehen!! 3 lucky readers.. please pick me pleeeeeeeaaaaaasssssseeeeeee (0.0)
Well, let’s see next week
I’m sure you meant Chichi?
Nice read My mood is back Wura should stuff any emotions towards Pastor Ralph because the wife will feel justified for leaving. Kasi you are in for it but you can take her to your mum sha see if Lex will come around. Thanks Sally
Bless you, Nykky
Awww…….it was worth d wait, am glad Chichi finally left, more excited My-mood is bck……Tnx Sal
Thank you too!
I am really excited to have this series back. Chai, I missed all the characters as if they are real people in my life.
Thanks Sally once again, God bless you.. Congratulations once again on”The Fourth Finger”, this is just the beginning Darling.
Hmmm, as for Mummy Dara and Daddy Dara, they are sure coming back together and I’m sure this setback will bring life and new level of intimacy in their marriage.
Kasiobi had better take his eyes off Didi and just call Lex to come take care of Trinity,who she already adores.
Love Mymood and Wura’s love and I want them together. Pastor Raph God will touch the heart of your wife o,no go there at all.
Missing Jide,Jiney,Honey,Ekene,Mary,Emeka and his wives,Genesis and her Beau and Lexus.
Nuff of my ramblings jare.
Lol. You didnβt ramble at all. Your characters will come back soon
Thanks Kemi
Its always a delight readn ur works.hope dis comment goes thru. For years my comments dont go through. U doing a great work sally
Hi Laba Steffi
Your comment went through
Thanks for being here
Yayy IANS is back tanks aunty Sally but what about boys with toys are you going to stop that one completely. pls oo don’t stop
Boys with toys is still very much here. I haven’t stopped it
thank you ΓΒ Β½ΓΒΈΒΓΒ Β½ΓΒΉΒΓΒ Β½ΓΒΉΒ
Kai… This Noka has serious issues….
No be small
Sally you are the best .always checking for new stories every Saturday.I could not buy fourth finger ooo.is there an easier way to do it the Okada link is not working for me.Your stories lifts my spirit always.God bless you
God bless you as well, Omotee
To get Fourth Finger, send an email to Moskedapages@gmail.com and I’ll respond
Pastor Raphl, plz, don’t go dia, woo is a no no no go area cos d area fada of woo is lurking in da corner, sai mymood. Kas, dat is d beginning of fadahood just stepped into it wif ur eyez opened. Nice one, but nobody microwaved breastmilk cos it wud b denatured n go sour. Much love Sally. Xoxo
? love you back
Biko who’s the area fada of Wura ?
As per microwaving breast milk, you actually can. It doesnβt spoil the milk. There are no studies on that. The biggest concern is heating it so much that it burns the baby’s mouth which was what happened to poor Trinity. The best of course is to put the bottle in hot water to have an even, warm temperature but Kas didn’t know that. Well, he’ll learn
Thanks Hacolyte
Madam the Sally, importer, exporter of story matter. you make your story so real that I feel I know the characters in real life.
That fourth finger is the real deal. No regret buying it
Love you, Wumi
Lovely as always Sally… what gift do i get… i ahev already bought and finished the book.. huge grin..
Here’s your gift ?
Thank you for supporting me, Tee
Chichi is so mean
She Hussein Bolted on a baby.
So mean
And Mahmud’s persona ehn
I Think I’m crushing on him lol
Thanks for another fab. Episode Anty Sally.
Yaaaay wura’s mood is back??
Chichi is just a psychos nd as fr noka I just don’t like her. I am just so happy Wura and her mood are back together!!!!!! Thank you sally . Thank you !!!!!
uhmmmmm……..bonus please… when i aw that post on Bellanaija i said “Yes she did it…She is the best”
God bless you ma…I tap into your anointing o……..Thank you ma
Yaaay!!!!
Thanks Sally, love it
I so love this episode,is so cool.this is my first time commenting,I have been a silent reader for a long time, following your stories bumper to bumper. I am so addicted to your stories, they are
so down to earth,realistic,relatable, enjoyable,interesting and so much more. I have realised is a bad thing not commenting,I am sorry. you deserve the best awards that can be presented,more wisdom to your writing,your blog makes my day every saturday.
p.s I read one story here recently but wasn’t able to finish it because the writer converted the rest into an eBook,since I am just reading it,I sent an email to the writer but I Didnt get a response,I really love this story and would like to finish it,pls if you can be of any help,tanx. the story is unfulfilled promises.
Tsk tsk! Chichi is playing rough play o, hian why would she dropped her child like that?….
I like you pastor Ralph but hold your love to yourself pls, tenkiu…
Didi, you berra bekiaful! Kas is all shades of “messedupness” kikikkikiki
God bless you sugar Momma for this wonderful episode. And pls, I would like to be among the three lucky people faa.
Yeah Mymood is back….so happy for Work. Please pastor Ralph pack well abeg, no spoil happy people jor. So good Chichi is out of the way for good, Lex time to take over Biko.
Funny enough I miss Emeka and wives plus our power couples Jide and Honey, Dominic and Genesis.
Sally you nailed it again oh, well done madam. Please keep it rolling. Fourth Fingers gat me emotional. Thank you!!!…xoxo.
Mymood and Wura got me feeling heartsick. Sigh. Great writing Sally. Well done. Next episode soon? Pretty please? *making puppy eyes*
That was a long, satisfying episode. So descriptive that one can vividly imagine the story playing out. I laughed out loud when Shady rested his “flat bum” on his office desk. I eagerly await future episodes.
Noka is such a greedy and mean somebody, i am eagerly waiting for her story to unfold. Oh Celia and Shady, i hope Celia comes back.
Chichi is such a peace of work, she abandoned her child, anyways good to knows she couldnt warm her way back to Kas’s life. I hope baby Trini would be fine. I misses Jiney, Emeka ad his wives, Mary and Ekene. I enjoyed this episode Sally, thanks a lot.
Now saturday shoudl oem quickly.
We love YOU right back Aunty Sally. Those i referred your blog to on my blog have been singing your praises unending. One guy even asked me if you were Nigerian *lolz*
“Our mood is back:…yipeee
Thanks Sal
So Noka has that ‘someone’ she needed to see. I really can’t wait to know who it is, but it better not be what I’m thinking.
Life will always bring the like of Ralph and Wura together, then bring the like of Mahmood in again. This life ehn! Most comments want a Wura-Mahmood thingy, you people sha no even look Pastor side. Me I will jejely wait and see who Sally wants to give Wura to. That’s safer.
Women like Chichi (abi na Chin chin sef) tho. Is she actually leaving Trinity for real? Is this a test or she just didn’t know the demands of parenthood before going ahead to have little Trinity.
Well, I wait for the next episode.
Well done Sally. Like I always pray, “your ink won’t ever run dry”
A very beautiful episode it is, looking forward to the next one .
This Noka sef is a case, she’s a bitch just like her husband said,well, we’ll soon know her secret appointment and see how she’ll come out of it. Wonderful episode, thanks Sally and more inspiration to you.
Sorry, d first part of my comment was in response to ur famous KISS. D second part, tells d effect of d episode on me; how my concentration was totally immersed into d story. And d last part, is a tribute to d endurance nd tolerance of partner in regards to ur character.
Yes. I am high on local WEED cos u fed dem to me @akintundekaffy
Such marvellous work! Thank you so much Sally, God bless you!
Hmmmmmmm! I feel for Wura o! Pastor Ralph, that your speech ehn, is what I call emotional blackmail. God is watching you on 6D!
As usual I enjoyed it, thanks Sally
I really enjoyed your writing. you got me engrossed, thumbs up Sally
I have been a faithful follower of Novocaine Knight on 360nobs.. But was sad when i could not read the remaining but was more than happy when a new friend that we travelled together showed me this blog when we were talking about Nigerian writers and their wonderful works… Am so happy to read your works, currently giggling like a love struck teenager… You Rock..
Noka, Noka! We know how you be. Poor kas. He seems more alone now than ever. I feel bad for him. Life is too short. He should go ahead and talk to lex. Anyways, on to the next episode! This binge reading is awesome, dude!